2010-2011 Men's Basketball (Outright Big Ten & BTT Champs)

[DZ83CK]

I don't get why the analysts seem to be convinced Lighty at PG wouldn't be viable - if they're going 9-10 deep as Matta suggested recently, then no one is going to dominate the minutes at PG the way ET did, and they would have at least a couple guys running the show. I see the PG next year as you do, LB, largely a matter of bringing the ball up court and starting the offense. Also, I don't know if I buy Bilas' argument that if Lighty brings the ball up court, he won't be able to do other things in the offense - first of all, it didn't seem that any plays were designed for him last year, he was mostly a screener who took open shots and I don't see how he would be unable to do those things just because he brings the ball up - if the PG is just an initiator, then there's no reason why Lighty can't do it. Now of course this offense is best when the PG is really good at breaking down the D and create shots for himself and teammates, but I think Lighty has more a little more skill in creating shots than those analysts (particularly Gottlieb) lead on and Smith in particular has some good potential to help this team in that area as well. If they go with a lineup of the 4 returning starters plus Sullinger, it's a no-brainer for Lighty to be the PG.

 

[LitlBuck]

I don't get why the analysts seem to be convinced Lighty at PG wouldn't be viable - if they're going 9-10 deep as Matta suggested recently, then no one is going to dominate the minutes at PG the way ET did, and they would have at least a couple guys running the show. I see the PG next year as you do, LB, largely a matter of bringing the ball up court and starting the offense. Also, I don't know if I buy Bilas' argument that if Lighty brings the ball up court, he won't be able to do other things in the offense - first of all, it didn't seem that any plays were designed for him last year, he was mostly a screener who took open shots and I don't see how he would be unable to do those things just because he brings the ball up - if the PG is just an initiator, then there's no reason why Lighty can't do it. Now of course this offense is best when the PG is really good at breaking down the D and create shots for himself and teammates, but I think Lighty has more a little more skill in creating shots than those analysts (particularly Gottlieb) lead on and Smith in particular has some good potential to help this team in that area as well. If they go with a lineup of the 4 returning starters plus Sullinger, it's a no-brainer for Lighty to be the PG.

Regarding the first statement about Matta making the comment that he was going to play 9-10 guys, I think that comment was made tongue-in-cheek because he immediately followed up that comment about pleasing the fans or something to that effect.

With regard to Lighty playing the PG, I just don't like it unless we do play the 4 starters and Sullinger. That is the only way I would like it but I would like to see that 5 on the floor at once. I don't think that would make the best team.

When talking about initiating the offense, the reason I would like to see a guy who has played PG, or at least the #2 position, before. I like to see the Lighty playing closer to the basket then initiating PG would play. He is one of the better rebounders on the team and a few plays the PG position it might have a tendency to go to the boards which would leave the floor unbalanced. I can remember David playing a little bit of PG last year but it seemed to me like he got past half-court and just sort of stopped and really didn't do much of anything.

I trust Bilas's knowledge about basketball over Gottlieb any day of the week.

 

[LitlBuck]

Three more '10-11 opponents uncovered (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

That Schedule certainly isn't going to help Ohio State's RPI. We will have to depend on the games we play in the Big Ten for RPI help.

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Regarding the first statement about Matta making the comment that he was going to play 9-10 guys, I think that comment was made tongue-in-cheek because he immediately followed up that comment about pleasing the fans or something to that effect.

With regard to Lighty playing the PG, I just don't like it unless we do play the 4 starters and Sullinger. That is the only way I would like it but I would like to see that 5 on the floor at once. I don't think that would make the best team.

When talking about initiating the offense, the reason I would like to see a guy who has played PG, or at least the #2 position, before. I like to see the Lighty playing closer to the basket then initiating PG would play. He is one of the better rebounders on the team and a few plays the PG position it might have a tendency to go to the boards which would leave the floor unbalanced. I can remember David playing a little bit of PG last year but it seemed to me like he got past half-court and just sort of stopped and really didn't do much of anything.

I trust Bilas's knowledge about basketball over Gottlieb any day of the week.

I think taking Lighty out of the lane is a mistake. As you said, he's one of our best rebounders and is just a nice hustle player that gets his hands on the ball and makes plays. But I just don't see him starting our offense. I think he only played there last year since Matta knew that Turner would be back in good time. I just can't help but think that Lighty is best 15 ft and in.

That said, I have no idea what the answer is for Matta. He doesn't seem to like to play guys at the point unless he has complete confidence in them (see PJ Hill). So would he play a frosh there? If you're Conley good yes...but if you're Craft good? We shall see I guess.

 

[Buckskin86]

Western Carolina released its schedule today and will play Ohio State in Value City Arena on Dec. 12. The Catamounts were 22-12 last season but lost five seniors.

Here's the nonconference schedule as we've pieced it together so far:

Nov. 12 - Fri - North Carolina A&T (11-22, 299)
Nov. 16 - Tue - at Florida (21-13, 59)
Nov. 20 - Sat - UNC-Wilmington (9-22, 236)
Nov. 23 - Tue - Morehead State (24-11, 90)
Nov. 26 - Fri - Miami (Ohio) (14-18, 144)
Nov. 30 - Tue - at Florida State (22-10, 44)
Dec.12 - Sun - Western Carolina (22-12, 126)
Dec. 18 - Sat 0 South Carolina (15-16, 98)

Four opponents remain to be identified. Bucknuts.com has reported that one of them will be Tennessee-Martin (4-25, 338) on Dec. 27 in Value City Arena. So that leaves three.

Western Carolina in, Zeller out. And Davis? (Hoops & Scoops: an OSU basketball blog)

 

[DZ83CK]

I don't believe that this team needs Lighty closer to the basket. I don't know that there's much reason to doubt that the Sullinger-Lauderdale tandem would work in terms of rebounding and scoring in the paint. Then they have Deshaun Thomas, who although he isn't listed as being much bigger, plays bigger than Lighty. Lighty's effort is commendable, but he is not a great rebounder and he doesn't really post up on offense - Thomas has the skills to be significantly better than him in rebounding and scoring in the paint within the halfcourt offense this year. If the team is going "small" with the three returning wings along with a freshman (take your pick - Sibert/Smith/Craft) then it would be wise to put Dave at the 4 again (at least on D), but I doubt that they will do that very often this year. I see the 4 as being shared by Sullinger and Thomas, and the 5 as essentially a rotation of Lauderdale and Sullinger, and perhaps Big Z will be thrown in there for a few minutes occasionally. I think the main reason to keep Lighty from playing point would be to make it easier to run the plays they ran last year where he would set screens. But in a lineup with DLaud and Sullinger or Sullinger and Thomas, you don't really need Lighty to set screens anymore, as the others can set most of the screens. They just have to learn when and where to set the screens for the plays they're running, which might be a big part of why the nonconference schedule is mostly soft - they have a lot of teaching to do for these freshmen.

No doubt PG is a position of uncertainty. A number of players have some skills to help there, but they all have flaws that make people think they shouldn't play PG 30+ minutes. I'd like to think that means more guys get a chance to pitch in what they can, but nobody knows what will happen. Matta's comment about going 9-10 deep that I saw in quotes was that he said he'd play 9-10 so he didn't have to answer the darn questions about the short bench anymore, and then he followed that up with saying something about how he told the team that Diebs, Lighty and WB had played 40, 50, and then 38 minutes in consecutive days to win a Big Ten championship. One report on those comments read more like this: it implied that Matta had told the players he'd play 9-10 but that Diebs, Lighty, and WB could play 40 if the bench players weren't prepared, so they'd still have to earn their PT. I don't know what exactly he said, as the OSU website recording does not include that comment about 9-10, apparently since it included a profane word (i.e., he didn't use "darn" like I did). While the comment about 9-10 seemed funny because he cited the opinion of reporters, I think he does intend to use a deeper bench (like 8 or 9) but for other reasons.

Why I think Lighty at PG would work is I know he can do the ministerial functions of what's required at the position (i.e., bring the ball up and initiate the offense with the proper read) and he has some ability to create shots for teammates, and if he drops 10 pounds as the coaches reportedly asked him to, then he might find it easier to beat guys off the dribble. But I also think that Smith ideally would be the primary backup PG because he has the ballhandling skills and passing ability (while simultaneously being decidedly non-turnover prone) that make him a good fit for PG in this offense. Craft could come in to provide defense at PG if the team needs a player to cut off an opposing PG.

 

[BuckTwenty]

Why I think Lighty at PG would work is I know he can do the ministerial functions of what's required at the position (i.e., bring the ball up and initiate the offense with the proper read) and he has some ability to create shots for teammates, and if he drops 10 pounds as the coaches reportedly asked him to, then he might find it easier to beat guys off the dribble. But I also think that Smith ideally would be the primary backup PG because he has the ballhandling skills and passing ability (while simultaneously being decidedly non-turnover prone) that make him a good fit for PG in this offense. Craft could come in to provide defense at PG if the team needs a player to cut off an opposing PG.

I've heard Diebler is getting a good look at PG. Haven't heard anything in regards to D-Light. Diebs at PG would be an effort to get our best 5 on the floor at the same time: Diebs, Buford, Lighty, Lauderdale, Sullinger.

 

[LitlBuck]

I've heard Diebler is getting a good look at PG. Haven't heard anything in regards to D-Light. Diebs at PG would be an effort to get our best 5 on the floor at the same time: Diebs, Buford, Lighty, Lauderdale, Sullinger.

That same line up could be put on the floor if Lighty played the PG and I don't think that JD has the quickness or athleticism to play PG and you will really be taking him out of the offense if he wasted his time bringing the ball up court.

I still think that one of the freshman (Craft or Smith) will end up being the starting PG and I disagree with DZ that Thomas and Sullinger will get most of the minutes at the 4 position. In a way, the numbers 2-4 in Ohio State's system are extremely interchangeable. I guess if David does not play the "4" position he might play PG but that would be the only reason because I don't think that Dallas, Buford, or JD will be bringing the ball up the court.

 

[Meyer]

No LitlBuck. Diebler wouldn't have to guard the opposing teams PG and for us this year it's all about ball handling and getting the offense started with the first pass. Then Diebler could run off screens to get open shots. Not saying he is the best option, but saying that it doesn't really change anything all that much.

I personally would like to see Lighty or Craft at PG. Lighty only because he can drive and kick or drive and finish. But it really all comes down to ball handling abilities and turnovers.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

tangential to other points:

i expect to see more zone this season when craft is not in the game. there will be no true point guard defender without him; although, having sullinger and lauderdale in the game will allow lighty to play defense against players smaller than he's been covering so far. a zone defense will also decrease sullinger's odds of fouling, which should be high.

 

[MaxBuck]

Defending the opposing point guard is, as LitlBuck points out, a concern. But it's an entirely different concern from the one revolving around who will be our point guard. Diebler may prove to be our best option on O, but I doubt he can be effective guarding top-tier point guards on other squads - he's not quick enough. I'm hoping Lenzelle Smith could do that job once he's healthy, or perhaps Jordan Sibert.

I'm actually not too concerned about fouls among the bigs, since defensively I'm hoping that the trio of Sully, Dallas and Thomas can collectively man the inside. Sarikopolous isn't likely to be much help in that regard, from what I've seen to date. Maybe Witherspoon?

Regardless, I see more quality depth on this team than on any Matta team to date.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

Defending the opposing point guard is, as LitlBuck points out, a concern. But it's an entirely different concern from the one revolving around who will be our point guard.

hence the word tangential.

 

[LitlBuck]

No LitlBuck. Diebler wouldn't have to guard the opposing teams PG and for us this year it's all about ball handling and getting the offense started with the first pass. Then Diebler could run off screens to get open shots. Not saying he is the best option, but saying that it doesn't really change anything all that much.

I personally would like to see Lighty or Craft at PG. Lighty only because he can drive and kick or drive and finish. But it really all comes down to ball handling abilities and turnovers.

My point was about JD bring the ball up court and getting the offense started. If he is pressured by the opposing PG, I don't think that he is the person you want to bring the ball up the court. I would rather have either of the two freshmen or Lighty bringing the ball up the floor if there was pressure from the opposing PG. I love JD but I do not think he is the best ballhandler, by any stretch, on the team.​

 

[calibuck]

PG is where it starts, and requires great ball handling, quickness, and full-court vision. Plus of course passing abilities, and shooting skills when the defense collapses on the penetration. That being said, methinks that Diebler would be disastrous at point, he is at his best setting up and waiting for the ball. Don't recollect him scoring much on the move. Lighty is the 'glue' of the team. He does the intangibles that is required to make a successful team, such as sliding over on defense to cut off the driver, adding rebounding muscle (remember, Matta plays 4 littles and one big).

Buford is an option, but I see him more as a 2, although he is a possibility. Lighty could do the job, but probably not as well as ET, which would have fandom react negatively. Craft hasn't performed at this level, and few freshmen can (not to say he cannot, or willnot). Give him a chance during the cupcake schedule (pre-B10) and see how he fares. Work in Lighty and Buford as alternates, and see how the team performs. It might not be the best person on the floor, but the person that makes the other four play better.

:gobucks3::gobucks4:

 

[jimotis4heisman]

I don't know that there's much reason to doubt that the Sullinger-Lauderdale tandem would work in terms of rebounding and scoring in the paint.

i hope im wrong, i dont see it working. i dont see those two creating synergy in the b10. i hope i am wrong, but i doubt it. thats before you start looking at defensive matchups, also.